Cigarette packaging

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a cigarette packet with openings on the package to avoid the user from touching the filter end of the cigarette to increase hygiene. Also shown is a package with dual openings to allow a user to open the packet from either end to make it more convenient to open the packet without having to flip the packet to the opening end.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/875,318 filed on Dec. 16, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to cigarette packaging. More specifically, the present invention is cigarette packaging that allows a user to keep the filter end of a cigarette significantly more hygiene and/or makes it easier for the user to take the cigarette out of the packet.

Other cigarette packets have the cap at the top so that people open the packet from the top when they want to take out cigarettes. In past designs the cover opens at the top of the packet where the filters of the cigarettes are. When a user pulls out a cigarette from the packet, the user's hands touch the filter which will be put into the smoker's mouth later. This could be a potential source of diseases, especially infectious diseases. When someone with an infectious disease touches the filter and gives the cigarette to another person, he/she could possibly pass the disease on to the receiver. Moreover, because the past design opens at only one end the top people have to search for the top before they can open the packet, which is not always convenient.

One embodiment of the present invention is to place the cigarettes in the packet the other way round having the filters at the bottom. So when people open the packet, it will be the non-filter end that their hands touch. In one embodiment of the present invention, a packet has two openings, one at the top, the other at the bottom, so that people can open the packet either way and need not bother finding the opening end. This model can be used when people do not care as much about the hygiene problem because there is still a 50% probability that they open at the filter end; or if they see the filter end, they can open the other end to avoid touching the filter end.

In one embodiment of the present invention in addition to having openings at the top or bottom of the packet, we can also have openings on the sides of the packet. Another variation is a combination of what we can have—two openings instead of one and on the sides instead of at the top or bottom. All the mentioned above present invention can also be applied to the packaging of food, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 a illustrates a cigarette packet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b illustrates a cigarette packet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 a illustrates a cigarette packet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b illustrates a cigarette packet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 a illustrates a cigarette packet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 b illustrates a cigarette packet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 a illustrates a cigarette packet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 b illustrates a cigarette packet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a, as in one embodiment of the present invention illustrated is a cigarette packet 10 having a filter end 12 at a bottom 14 of the packet 10, so that the user will touch the non-filter end 13 when taking a cigarette 16 out of the packet 10. Shown is a flip top 18. In FIG. 1 b shown is cigarette packet 20 with a folding top 22.

In FIG. 2 a, as in one embodiment of the present invention illustrated is a cigarette packet 24 having a filter end 26 and a non filter end 28. Cigarette packet 24 has a first flip cover 30 and a second flip cover 32 opposed to each other. The cigarette filter 31 will correspond to either the first flip cover 30 or the second flip cover 32. This will allow a user to pick the non filter end 28 to pull out cigarette 34 and avoid touching the filter 31 of the cigarette 34. Shown in FIG. 2 b is the foil type or folding ends 35, 36 design of a cigarette packet 38 that would also have the dual openings to allow a user to pick which end they could open avoiding the filter of the cigarette. Since the packet 24 has two openings, if people do not really care about not touching the filter end, they can take the cigarettes from either end, which is more convenient than the packets which have only one opening.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a, as in one embodiment of the present invention illustrated is a cigarette packet 40 having a first side 42 and a second side 44. Side flip top 39 opens the side of cigarette packet 40 and allows a user to avoid the filter 41 by touching the mid section 46 of the cigarette 48. Side flip top 39 may be on either first side 42 or the second side 44. Shown in FIG. 3 b is the foil type or folding ends 50 which may be on either side of a cigarette packet 52.

Referring now to FIG. 4 a, as in one embodiment of the present invention illustrated is a cigarette packet 60 having a first side flip top 62 and a second side flip top 64. Shown in FIG. 4 b is the foil type or folding ends 65, 66 design of a cigarette packet 68 on both sides.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention. 

1. A device comprising: a cigarette packet having a filter of a cigarette located at a bottom of the packet, so that a user will touch a non-filter end of a cigarette when taking the cigarette out of the packet, a selected one of a flip top and a folding top located at the top of the cigarette packet opposite to the bottom of the packet.
 2. A device comprising: a cigarette packet having a first opening and a second opening opposed to each other, a cigarette filter will correspond to either the first opening or the second opening, to allow a user to pick a non filter end of the cigarette, to pull out the cigarette and avoid touching the filter of the cigarette.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first opening and second opening are a foil type or folding ends design of the cigarette packet, the dual openings allow a user to pick which end they could open avoiding the filter of the cigarette.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein the first opening and second opening are a first flip top and a second flip top of the cigarette packet, the dual openings allow a user to pick which end they could open avoiding the filter of the cigarette.
 5. A device comprising: a cigarette packet having a first side and a second side, a side opening opens the side of the cigarette packet and allows a user to avoid a filter of the cigarette by a user touching only a mid section of the cigarette.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein the side opening is a side flip top.
 7. The device of claim 5 wherein the side opening is a foil type or folding ends design of the cigarette packet.
 8. The device of claim 5 wherein the side opening is a first side flip top and a second side flip top opposed to each other.
 9. The device of claim 5 wherein the side opening is a foil type or folding ends design of the cigarette packet on both sides of the cigarette packet. 